LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Mo.— Each year, more than 4 million people in over 20 countries raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer through the Relay For Life movement.

Click play below to listen to KMZU’s Elizabeth Orosco talk to Jessica White, event leadership team coordinator for the Relay For Life of Lafayette County. Details on the event are listed at the end of the article.

Tomorrow, Lafayette County will host the relay at Lexington Missouri High School. The public is welcome to attend the event beginning at 6 p.m. with opening ceremonies starting at 7 p.m.

Cancer survivors will participate in a special celebratory lap starting around 7:30 p.m.

During relay events, participants walk the track in memory and honor of loved ones who have been affected by cancer.

One of the highlights and memorable moments of the Relay for Life event is the Luminaria Ceremony. As the sun sets, luminarias are lit and decorated with names and photos of those lost to cancer, currently battling cancer, or have fought cancer in the past.

Luminaries will be available for purchase for $5 throughout the event, up to the ceremony. The name on the luminary will be read during the ceremony.

White, who lost her grandfather to lung cancer in 2001, says she has always participated in memory of him. A very close friend of Jessica’s who has fought brain cancer for the past four years, passed early this morning, June 9, 2016, in her battle against the disease.

Today was her 30th birthday.

“She was a hero and an inspiration to myself and many others,” said White. “We will always strive to be the kind of warrior that she was. She never stopped fighting and neither will we. So, our relay family will definitely be walking for her this Friday.”

White says she wants those who are fighting cancer or who have been affected by cancer to know that they are not alone.

Event Details

What: Lafayette County Relay for Life

Where: Lexington High School Football Field, 2323A High School Drive, Lexington, Mo., 64067